Three state beaches plan higher parking fees at peak periods

Three area state parks are proposing a parking fee schedule that would charge more for visiting during peak periods.

Under the plan, the standard $15 fee for the day would jump to $20 on three high-season holidays – Memorial Day, July 4 and Labor Day – using automated payment machines at San Clemente, Doheny and Crystal Cove state beaches. Meanwhile, some parking areas at the parks would introduce new hourly rates, a cheaper option than the all-day fee that visitors had to pay before even if they didn't want to stay all day.

Because California's coastal conservation act considers the installation of pay machines and new rates to be new development, the parks must apply for a coastal development permit. The state Coastal Commission will consider the permits at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Redondo Beach Civic Center, 415 Diamond St. The public is invited.

Machines are already in, and commission staff has been letting the parks use them while collecting data, said Brian Ketterer, superintendent of the state parks department's Orange Coast District.

WHY DO IT?

Ketterer said the new peak-period rates bring the state parks in line with what beach cities are doing, are limited in duration and are coupled with new hourly rates that offer better value.

Here's what will go to the Coastal Commission:

SAN CLEMENTE

San Clemente State Beach is seeking Coastal Commission approval to charge $1 an hour at Calafia Beach during the low season and $2 an hour during high season. The $15 all-day fee would go to $20 for the peak-season holidays and special events.

For visitors who use a San Clemente State Beach parking lot atop the coastal bluffs, the same all-day fees as at Calafia would apply, without the per-hour option. There is talk of offering hourly rates there in the off-season, Ketterer said.

At the Trestles parking lot at the south end of San Clemente, the state is already offering a $2 hourly option that is drawing more surfers to the lot who didn't want to pay the all-day $15 rate, Ketterer said. It's also drawing some hikers who hadn't parked there before. Until now, you had to pay $15 to use the lot.

Ketterer said that at Calafia Beach, the machines replace meters and have been well-received by the public. "You had to bring five pounds of quarters" for the meters, he joked. The machines accept cash and credit and debit cards. They don't give change.

DOHENY

At Doheny State Beach in Dana Point, the proposal is to apply the $15 and $20 all-day rates without hourly rates.

CRYSTAL COVE

At Crystal Cove State Park between Corona del Mar and Laguna Beach, the proposal is to charge the $15 and $20 all-day fees at five locations – Reef Point, Pelican Point, Los Trancos, Moro Day Use and Moro Campground. Visitors could pay $5 an hour on summer weekdays, but not on summer weekends or holidays.

In the off-season – Oct. 1 through May 15 – visitors could pay hourly rates on weekends at the Moro Day Use lot.

ANNUAL PASS

For those who visit state parks more than a few times a year, a 12-month pass may be a better value and a more convenient option. The pass costs $195 and is available at entry kiosks or at the Orange Coast District office at 3030 Avenida del Presidente, San Clemente. It's also available online at parks.ca.gov.

Beware that San Onofre State Beach just south of San Clemente doesn't accept the annual pass at special events such as surf contests at Trestles. The state has been charging $20 at contests there.